IR Lotus Leaf

[Cobra351]

I want your brutally honest thoughts on this one! Not the subject exactly as I like that (backlit Lotus leaf well past its prime, shot in IR), but the crop/presentation. Actually, I had to shoot it this tight to keep out unwanted objects from the frame, it's not that I cropped it in processing. I thought originally the tight crop wouldn't be an issue, but it's just not working for me at all now. What say you though?

Thanks!


http://www.pbase.com/boss351/image/117471644.jpg

[Robert_Lay]

Certainly isn't beautiful!

[Cobra351]

Do you mean the subject or the crop? Or both?!

[Robert_Lay]

The subject.
Just my opinion, but I would have had trouble getting interested in it as a possible subject.

[Treat me like a tourist]

I agree its not beautiful, i think the PP is a little too harsh, soften the edges to the holes in the leaf, and try inverting the shot- just my opinion.

[Cobra351]

Thanks all for stopping by. So, no comments about the crop? It was worth a try I guess, I'll have to settle for not liking it as-is and try for another shoot. Thanks anyway!

[AlphaChicken]

Like the crop. I dunno if it is the best cause I dunno what the original crop looked like, unless this is it. In any case, the crop you have is definitely not bad and does work.

I seem to be the only one so far that likes this shot as is. I like the crispness of the leaf. And who the hell says photography has to be beautiful? ...no one that knows what war photos look like and the importance they play(ed) says they have to be beautiful to work. What about Diane Arbus? Her subjects sure as hell were not "beautiful"...

I hate modern photography. Everone is so interested in stupid superficial things that do not matter at all to the real importance of the image. The ONLY thing that matters in my mind in making a successful photo is to get it done in the way that conveys the message you intended.

I like this shot. Nice use of the tonal range of the IR.

[Cobra351]

Thanks for the comments. Interesting thoughts on the shot. The image here is pretty much as-is, as far as the crop. Again, I really like the subject, but for some reason the crop/presentation just isn't working for me.

And who the hell says photography has to be beautiful?

I like this shot. Nice use of the tonal range of the IR.

Thank you!!!! Until your post, this seemed to be one of those that only the artist likes (me, myself and I). Are we in a club now?! Seriously though, nature (and life for that matter) isn't always the warm/cute/fuzzies that make people happy. This leaf, in the downturn of its life, is still nature (pretty or not). As long as I continue to be interested in subjects like this I'll keep shooting away!

[jetcode]

Shoot what moves you ... ultimately you are the only one to satisfy!

[Cobra351]

Shoot what moves you ... ultimately you are the only one to satisfy!

Exactly! Just wish I had a better shot of this as it's now gone. Oh well, next year!

[AlphaChicken]

I wish there was a "Diane Arbus Club"

Those of us who appreciate the "beauty" in everyone and everything. Very often I post my work up here and it passes with no comments; I think this is because quite a few of the members here are superficial "beauty" appreciators.

[Robert_Lay]

Thanks for the comments. Interesting thoughts on the shot. The image here is pretty much as-is, as far as the crop. Again, I really like the subject, but for some reason the crop/presentation just isn't working for me.



Thank you!!!! Until your post, this seemed to be one of those that only the artist likes (me, myself and I). Are we in a club now?! Seriously though, nature (and life for that matter) isn't always the warm/cute/fuzzies that make people happy. This leaf, in the downturn of its life, is still nature (pretty or not). As long as I continue to be interested in subjects like this I'll keep shooting away!

Your use of the word "crop" seriously affected my interpretation of what you were looking for. To me, "crop" means carving off slices of the original image in order to change its size and aspect ratio. The word "frame" is what I would use to mean how the subject is presented in the camera's native format.

Now that I understand what you were looking for, I can say that the image would be better if you stepped back or used a wider angle lens and captured more of the flower and its surroundings. That is, the image as presented begs for the entire blossom to be included along with whatever additional context is needed to help set the mood.

Sorry that I did not appreciate what you were looking for earlier.

[jetcode]

I wish there was a "Diane Arbus Club"

Those of us who appreciate the "beauty" in everyone and everything. Very often I post my work up here and it passes with no comments; I think this is because quite a few of the members here are superficial "beauty" appreciators.

Personally while there is beauty in everything there is only so much time in a day and I have a forest filled with "beauty" but that doesn't mean I want to photograph every square inch.

I've gotten really fussy with my images because I want a story, a real reason to consider a piece. A log in the roadway may be interesting or it may be so ordinary I am unwilling to give it my time. It is a personal choice and not one to be so readily dismissed as superficial. I want to be stunned by really great design and execution regardless of content.

A great photograph can be viewed for hours and keep coming up fresh.

[AlphaChicken]

Oh for sure. I was calling on one out specifically. I was also not saying every single thing on the planet should be photographed.

I was simply saying that there are a lot of superficial opinions about what makes a "beautiful" photograph floating around PotN.

[Flo]

As for the Lotus.the leaves in their full glory are amazing.but the aftermath of the flower pod is extraordinary....